For every insurance company, each has a different way of providing pharmacy benefits for its customers. At ISO, we strive to make the process as easy as possible.

When you are going to the pharmacy, ensure that you bring your insurance card so that the pharmacist can locate your information.

On the back of your insurance card (PDF or hard copy), there is some useful information that the pharmacist needs in order to see if you can get any discounts on your prescription bill. They are the BIN# and the Group#.

Once this information is applied, if there is any outstanding amount you will pay for the difference to the pharmacist. Ensure that you save a copy of the bill and receipt so that you can be reimbursed.

In order for the insurance company to reimburse you for the amount it should cover for prescriptions, you will need to submit claims to HealthSmart (benefits and claims department)

The claims procedure can be viewed here: https://www.isoa.org/claim_procedure Links for the claims form and the address and email address where you can submit all of your claims document can be found through the above mentioned link.

Even though summer break is about 6 months away from now, it never hurts to start preparing for what you are going to do during this time. Some of you may go back home to see family and friends, some take summer classes and others do summer internships. If you are in the group that’s interested in a summer internship, here are some things that you need to know

Speak with your international student advisor to ensure that you are eligible for CPT. To be on CPT, you have to be here for at least 9 months and if you qualify this allows you to get paid during your internship. Your CPT has to be in your field of study and you will be receiving school credit for it.

For a list of internships that may interest you, you can always check out your school’s career development center, attend internship fairs on campus or simply check companies’ career website for more information and apply!

When you are offered an internship, it is important that you complete the CPT form at your international student office and get it approved so that it can be noted on your I-20.

With December just around the corner, that can mean a lot of things. Most importantly it means that finals are just around the corner and it’s time to put the final push into studies before the year ends. Even though it may be hard when vacation is lingering in the background, here are some tips on how to get through finals season.

Have a regular sleep schedule

To get through final exams week, sleep is one of the most important things you need to do in order to stay focused. Though, it feels like those hours sleeping could be used to do more school work, you will be grateful that you took the time out to be energized for studying. It allows your body to relax and repair itself. Even more, there is a less likely chance of you falling asleep in the middle of exam when you get the rest!

Don’t wait till the last minute

Preparing for finals a week in advance isn’t always the surest way to pass. Despite the rush that some may feel, cramming a semester worth of information will more likely leave you feeling overwhelmed. Instead, create a study schedule and try it to stick to it. Going over your work at a decent pace, will not only help you understand everything but it helps you stay relaxed and focused.

Join a study group

For some people, studying alone is the most efficient way to get work done. For others, studying in a group is more effective. Ensure that the group that you are studying with is focused and you are all able to help each other revise all the information and understand the different topics. Avoid being with a group where everyone gets distracted very easily or know little of the work, it will only increase your stress level.

Short Breaks

Sometimes when we get into the rhythm of studying, it is hard to break of it. However, we have to do this in order to give our mind a moment to rest a little bit and absorb the information. For about 10- 15 minutes do something that is not related to school such as grab a snack, listen to music or step out for a quick walk.

The end of November is near and there is one other major holiday before the big Christmas celebrations. Thanksgiving Day. Besides from the infamous Black Friday sales, there is more to this day besides from sales and discounts.

Here are some random facts about this holiday.

Snapping the Turkey’s 'wishbone' is considered as a good luck custom on Thanksgiving Day.

The First Thanksgiving that was celebrated lasted for three days.

About 535 million pounds of turkey is served during Thanksgiving Day dinners.

The oldest Thanksgiving parade took place in Philadelphia in 1920 by Gimbels department store. There were roughly 50 persons present for that parade.

Sarah Josepha Hale, the writer of the nursery rhyme Mary Had a Little Lamb convinced Abraham Lincoln to make this a national holiday in 1863.

Lastly, there is Black Friday. This commercial side to Thanksgiving was started in the 1930s as the official start to the Christmas shopping season. Filled with deals and steals, many persons line up in front of stores after their Thanksgiving meals to be able to get these items. If you want to get a head start on Christmas, this is one sure way to go about it. Just remember to be careful as large crowds tend to leave little patience.

Most importantly it is a day where we reflect on all the things we are thankful for. Here at ISO we are thankful for our members and for that we thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!